California Attorney General Rob Bonta yesterday co-led a coalition of 18 attorneys general in opposing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) interim final rule that eliminates the automatic extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for up to 540 days for eligible workers who filed timely renewal applications. Now, immigrant workers — including refugees, asylees, and others who have already been vetted to work legally in the United States — will no longer receive an automatic extension of employment authorization documents while the renewal application is pending. DHS already faces significant backlogs in processing renewal applications. This change will leave applicants vulnerable and without the appropriate authorization documents that enable skilled workers to safely contribute to California’s economy.
“Immigrant workers help fuel California’s economic engine,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Let’s be clear: Jamming up employment authorizations for workers who have already been vetted doesn’t make us any safer, and it doesn’t benefit anyone. It’s just another tool for the President to exploit as part of his callous and unrestricted mass deportation agenda. As the golden door of opportunity, California has an obligation to stand with and uphold the humanitarian interests of immigrant workers and refugees — and we will continue to do so.”